A road test is a behind-the-wheel test taken in your vehicle with a DMV examiner. During the test you will drive on roadways, determined by the examiner, to measure how well you respond to road and traffic conditions.
Drivers under the age of 18 who have completed a driver education course, behind the wheel training, 50 hours of supervised driving and have parent/guardian approval may qualify for a
road test waiver.
This pilot program will end December 31, 2023. Beginning January 1, 2024, a road test must be scheduled and taken.
You can schedule, reschedule, cancel or verify a road test appointment through this online system. When you schedule an appointment through the online system, you will be prompted to enter the following items:
- Your driver license or ID card number or social security number
- Your date of birth
- Your zip code
- To receive a confirmation and reminder of your appointment, an e-mail address or cell phone number with texting is required
A road test, sometimes called a skills test, is required for those who are applying for:
- an original Class D (auto and small truck) probationary driver license
- You may take one road test with an expired permit (expired less than one year); however, you may not practice driving or drive to the road test location with an expired permit
- an original Class A, B, or C commercial driver license (CDL)
- CDL road testing is done by third-party examiners. Contact a third-party examiner near you to confirm availability and hours of testing.
- an original Class D (auto and small truck) driver license
- an original Class M (motorcycle) license
- an original P (passenger) endorsement to operate large motor buses
- an original S (school bus) endorsement to operate any school bus
- reinstatement of a license expired more than eight years
- out-of-state license expired more than eight years
- a
restricted juvenile license
- a
special restricted license
A road test may also be required if the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has good cause to question a person's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely due to a physical or medical disability.
- You will need to provide the appropriate vehicle for the license class that you are applying for after the test.
- Prior to the test, the examiner will inspect the vehicle you will be using in your road test. The examiner will check for safety defects and valid registration.
- You will need to know how to operate the vehicle and all of the controls within the vehicle needed during the test. (For example windshield wipers, defroster, parking brake, etc.)
- If problems are detected, the road test may be denied; therefore, it is wise to refer to the skills test portion in the
Motorists’ Handbook or
Motorcyclists' Handbook for a list of the items that will be checked in the vehicle inspection
- The examiner will ask you if you have any questions before you begin the actual driving test.
- If you do not understand any instruction the examiner gives you, be sure to let the examiner know
- All tests involve a series of actual traffic situations designed to measure how well you respond to road and traffic conditions
- A road test will take 20 to 90 minutes, depending on the license class and endorsement for which you are applying.
Here is information on a
Wisconsin CDL skills test.
In order to get your Probationary License:
- If you are under age 18, you will need to complete the Wisconsin Driver License Application
MV3001 with the
sponsorship information completed. Proof of Driver Education (classroom and Behind the Wheel) completion must be electronically submitted by the driving school.
- You will
pay for your Probationary License and all road tests, including those passed, failed or not canceled 24 hours in advance
- If your road test is scheduled outside of
service centers hours, you will not be able to get your probationary license immediately after passing. You will either have to return to the DMV when it’s open or
apply online 24 hours after passing. Check the
DMV customer service centers for a complete listing of the days and times when our offices are open to the public.
- You will be given the results of the road test and a skills test guide to use for additional practice.
- Keep your completed application MV3001(with sponsorship signature) to use with your next skills test.
- Ensure you have your instruction permit after your road test to continue practice driving.
- If your instruction permit is expired or expiring soon, you should
renew your permit.
- You will need to schedule another road test appointment after the minimum wait time.
- Your wait time for another test is based on the results of your test (1-14 days).
- The online system will calculate your waiting period and show you all available appointments.
- You are not guaranteed an appointment immediately after the waiting period is over. This is based on appointment availability.
- If you are experiencing difficulty in scheduling a road test appointment in your preferred area, new appointment slots are added daily, or you can search for tests at other locations. DMV phone agents are unable to open more appointment slots.
If you’ve read the above information and you are ready to schedule your road test, you can start now.
Tips to schedule your appointment
You will be able to schedule your road test up to 11 weeks in advance, but please note:
- Appointments fill up quickly and the system will indicate "No appointments available" when all appointments are filled
- New appointments are added periodically throughout the week
- DMV staff do not have the ability to open any additional appointments
- You can schedule at any location that offers road tests with open appointments
If you cannot keep your appointment, you need to cancel at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment
- If you do not cancel your appointment with at least 24 hours’ notice or you do not show up for your appointment, you will be charged a $15 fee
- You will not be eligible to retest for at least 7 days, depending upon appointment availability
